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Forty Under 40 Class of 2004 updates

Rochester Business Journal

November 6, 2009

Alumni of Rochester Business Journal Forty Under 40 check in with updates on career and life. Here's a look at the Class of 2004.

John Billone Jr.President, Flower City Management
President, Flower City Development LLC
President, Tri-City Retirement Communities LLC
President, Vienna-Armstrong Management Corp.
Vice president, Billone Mechanical Contractors Inc.
Position then: President, Flower City Management; vice president, Billone Mechanical Contractors.
Current business role: Responsible for new acquisitions for future development opportunities, existing development projects in the city of Rochester, specifically Wedge Point, securing financing, reviewing economic development programs at federal, state and local levels.
Age: 43
Education: Two AAS degrees, SUNY
College at Alfred
Family: Wife, Liza; daughter, 19;
son, 17
Residence: Mendon
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Renovating the Medical Arts Building and converting it into Rochester's first LEED-certified building.
James Brennan
Partner
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Position then: Same
Current business role: Leads the delivery of Deloitte's services to companies in Upstate New York and cultivates new relationships with companies in this area. Member of the leadership team that manages the Upstate New York practice for Deloitte & Touche, which includes Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the Southern Tier.
Age: 39
Education: B.S., St. John Fisher College
Family: Wife, Kristen; five daughters, 21, 11, 8, 4, 3; two sons, 10, 8
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Being admitted to partnership in Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2003.

Robert Finnerty
Chief communications officer
Rochester Institute of Technology
Position then: Same
Current business role: Responsible for internal and external communications program at RIT. Advises RIT president and administrative team on internal and external communication as it relates to public relations, news media, publications, advertising and marketing.
Age: 43
Education: B.A., Purdue University; M.S., RIT
Family: Wife, Becky; two sons, 17, 10, daughter, 13
Residence: Greece
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Earning a master's degree at RIT while working full-time and raising a family. My education then led to new media and Web products at RIT.
Surprising fact: I'd rather be playing center field for the Baltimore Orioles.

Shirley Green
Principal, Mary McLeod Bethune School 45
Rochester City School District
Position then: Principal, Gen. Elwell S. Otis School 30, Rochester City School District
Current business role: Mary McLeod Bethune School has approximately 650 students and a staff of 120. I am responsible for the day-to-day operations and instructional program at the school. Our vision is "Believe in excellence for every child."
Age: 44
Education: B.S, Delaware State University; M.S., Nazareth College of Rochester
Family: Husband, Thomas; daughter, 19; son, 16
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Being appointed as a principal in the RCSD, a district I grew up in.
Surprising fact: I was a basketball coach for several years.

David Koretz
CEO, BlueTie Inc.
President, Mykonos Software
Chairman, Adventive
Position then: President and CEO, BlueTie
Current business role: I am responsible for the strategy and growth of BlueTie and the day-to-day operations of Mykonos.
Age: 30
Education: Attended Rochester Institute of Technology and Babson College
Family: Single
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: I'm always focused on the next one.
Surprising fact: I am a traveling photographer who has visited more than 50 countries and six continents.

Laurie Leo
Controller
Klein Steel Service Inc.
Position then: Chief financial officer, Center for Governmental Research Inc.
Current business role: My responsibilities include general finance functions, financial reporting, oversight of the accounting function, annual budget creation and monitoring, general financial planning and analysis. My role includes strategic involvement with internal operations and key customers, as well as contributing to the creation and execution of the company's strategic plan and direction.
Age: 42
Education: B.A., Nazareth College of Rochester; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester
Family: Husband, Vincent; daughter, 14; son, 12
Residence: Fairport
Birthplace: Hornell
What brought you to Rochester? Undergraduate program at Nazareth College in 1985.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Developing any organization's most valuable resource-the people. Working with team members to steer development and career direction is a privilege and honor, and goes far to advance organizational goals. I truly enjoy my role in helping shape skills and careers of the team members I work with. It underscores the importance of the following statement: "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for life."
Surprising fact: I was involved for a number of years in high-performance driving and at one time held a competition race license with the BMW Car Club of America. Now my racing is limited to transporting children to their activities!

Marisol Ramos-Lopez
Administrator
Northeast Neighborhood Service Center
City of Rochester
Position then: Chief of staff, city of Rochester
Current business role: Oversee the Northeast quadrant team for the city; responsible for service coordination and interface with residents and businesses.
Age: 39
Education: B.S., Barry University; M.S., Keuka College
Family: Two sons, 11, 4
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Miami Beach
What brought you to Rochester? I was in search of a balanced life-family and career. I found it here!
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Helping Rochester residents better their neighborhoods and create a better sense of community.

Kelly Mittiga
Senior vice president, retail banking
First Niagara Bank
Position then: Vice president, regional sales manager, First Niagara Bank
Current business role: I oversee the Central New York region of First Niagara Bank's branch network. I am also responsible for retail alternative delivery channels for the company, including Web banking, online bill payment, our ATM distribution and our consumer debit card program.
Age: 37
Education: B.A., Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Family: Husband, Benjamin; daughter, 9; two sons, 8, 6
Residence: Geneva
Birthplace: Buffalo Grove, Ill., but I grew up in McLean, Va.
What brought you to Rochester? College
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Coaching and mentoring members of my team, contributing to the attainment of their professional goals.
Surprising fact: I help coach my kids' soccer and lacrosse teams.

Syed Ahmed Mustafa
Director, sales and marketing
CeeTox Inc.
Position then: Owner, Team AED
Current business role: Responsible for global sales and marketing for in vitro toxicology services, providing an alternative to animal testing for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, industrial and agricultural chemical manufacturers.
Age: 41
Education: B.A., University of Rochester; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester
Family: Wife, Karen; two sons, 11, 10; two daughters, 8, 6
Residence: Webster
Birthplace: Wilmington, Del.
What brought you to Rochester? We moved here from Corning because we wanted a change of scenery and to experience living in a larger community.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: While I try to make sure I have a positive impact everywhere I work, I am extremely proud that there are people alive today in my community because AEDs were readily available, thanks to Team AED.
Surprising fact: I have helped seven patients on trans-Pacific flights and was awarded a medal for being a paramedic at Ground Zero two days after 9/11.

Philip Pecora
President and CEO
Genesee Regional Bank
Position then: Same
Current business role: Focuses on supporting small-business and middle-market customers. Leads the strategic direction of the bank and oversees the bank's financial, operational, administrative and marketing/sales activities. Also serves as the bank's liaison to community support activities.
Age: 39
Education : B.A., University of Rochester; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Buisness, University of Rochester
Family: Wife, Karin; son, 6; two daughters, 3, 18 months
Residence: Webster
Birth place: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Taking the bold step of leaving a secure position that I enjoyed, with a solid company, to try something new. Joining Genesee Regional Bank as manager of commercial banking was a risky, entrepreneurial move that quickly led to the opportunity to become president and CEO and leading the charge of an exciting growth story.
Surprising fact: I rowed an Adirondack guide boat 90 miles from Old Forge to Saranac Lake in 15 hours and 56 minutes in the Adirondack Canoe Classic.

William Pelino
Chief financial officer/chief operating officer
Greater Rochester Independent
Practice Association
Position then: Director of internal audit, Paychex Inc.
Current business role: Leads the finance function for the two companies of GRIPA-one focused on improving the quality and efficiency of health care locally and the other providing services to Medicare Advantage plans throughout the country. Also works closely with the CEO and board of directors to continue improving the GRIPA programs.
Age: 42
Education: BBA, University of Notre Dame; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester
Residence: Rochester
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: In a short period of time, I assumed significant and broader responsibility in a new role at a smaller company.
Surprising fact: When I was 10 years old, I performed in a talent contest at the Monroe County Fair.

Gary Phillips M.D.
Global head, portfolio management
Merck Serono SA
Position then: Corporate vice president, global pharmaceuticals and vitreoretinal, Bausch & Lomb Inc.
Current business role: Leads a group of professionals that determines the optimal investment mix for Merck Serono's $1.5 billion annual research and development investment, in order to reach its strategic and financial objectives. Also shapes the pipeline as a core member of the product development committee.
Age: 43
Education: B.A., University of Pennsylvania; MBA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; M.D., University of Pennsylvania
Family: Wife, Eleni; two sons, 13, 8
Residence: Geneva, Switzerland
Birthplace: Upper Darby, Pa.
What brought you to Rochester? My position with Bausch & Lomb.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Grew Bausch & Lomb's pharma business with a double-digit compound annual rate, making it the largest single business line prior to my departure.
Surprising fact: I was the sole medical officer aboard a combatant naval ship for two years, spending 13 months at sea.

Todd Plouffe
General manager
The Renaissance Del Monte Lodge & Spa
Position then: Same
Current business role: Responsible for overall management of day-to-day operations at the Renaissance Del Monte Lodge & Spa. This includes financial management, associate satisfaction and guest satisfaction.
Age: 40
Education: B.A., Michigan State University
Family: Wife, Stacie; daughter, 7; son, 3
Residence: Webster
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: The Renaissance Del Monte Lodge & Spa was named the North American Hotel of the Year by Marriott in 2005 and 2006.
Surprising fact: Most people don't realize that I am an adjunct college professor.

Gary Stafford Jr.
President and chief operating officer
Lazer Inc.
Position then: Same
Current business role: President and COO of Lazer, a premier graphic communications provider since 1986. With three locations and 35 employees, Lazer specializes in design services, packaging development, digital imaging, photography, prepress, digital asset management and fine art reproduction.
Age: 42
Education: BFA, Rochester Institute of Technology
Family: Wife, Lori; son, 13; daughter, 9
Residence: Chili
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Managing our company through several years of transitional times in our industry and challenging economic conditions.
Surprising fact: I love camping, fishing and sports with my family as much as my career.

Erika Stanat
Partner
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Position then: Same
Current business role: I serve as a partner in our firm's trial group. Since December 2005, I have also served as our firm's hiring partner.
Age: 41
Education: B.A., Bucknell University; J.D., Pennsylvania State University
Family: Husband, Jon; three sons, 7, 6, 3
Residence: Brighton
Birthplace: Jamestown
What brought you to Rochester? The opportunity to work at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP as an associate brought me to Rochester.

Kaye Elizabeth Stone
Director, North America product
service and programs
Xerox Corp.
Position then: Manager, managed services, Xerox
Current business role: Accountable for serviceability on the whole portfolio of Xerox products as they launch to the field. Responsible for all product post-sale gross margins; drive cost out of the product base.
Age: 44
Education: A.S., Monroe Community College; B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology; MBA, St. John Fisher College.
Residence: Newark
Birthplace: Newark
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Full launch of one of Xerox's flagship products, working as the product manager.

James Tabbi
President and chief operating officer
RAF Tabtronics LLC
Position then: President and CEO, Tabtronics Inc.
Current business role: Responsible for operations, sales and marketing for the leading global provider of custom electromagnetic power component solutions to defense, aerospace and high-technology original equipment manufacturers.
Age: 44
Education: B.S., M.S., Rochester Institute of Technology
Family: Wife, Jennifer Miglioratti; daughter, 6
Residence: Brighton
Birthplace: Dunkirk
What brought you to Rochester? Family business in 1978.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Working on challenging and interesting technology solutions with loyal, happy, repeat customers.

Mark Tolbert
President and CEO
Toptica Photonics Inc.
Position then: Director of business development, Aurora Systems
Current business role: Creating, managing and implementing the strategic growth plan for the U.S. headquarters of a German-based laser and microscope manufacturing firm.
Age: 38
Education: B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology; MBA, Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester
Family: Wife, Sonja Torpey; son.
Residence: Victor
Birthplace: Victor

Beth VanVliet
Marketing and communications executive
Position then: Vice president, director, direct-to-consumer product management, Citibank, Student Loan Corp.
Current business role: I am a strategic marketing expert with extensive experience developing results-driven, integrated promotional and communications campaigns for consumers, businesses and non-profits. Most recently I have been working with companies and organizations to improve their interactive and social media programs.
Age: 40
Education: B.S., SUNY College at Geneseo
Family: Spouse, Victor; daughter, 14
Residence: Geneseo
Birthplace: Long Island
What brought you to Rochester? Relocated from downstate New York to join Chase Manhattan Bank's marketing services department.
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: I am incredibly proud of the time and effort that went into building Chase's retirement services business. Our team developed a platform that enabled us to provide advice and guidance to people across the financial spectrum. The focus on the customer led to the creation of products, services and delivery methods that met the needs of a tremendous number of people.
Surprising fact: I have traveled to every state except Alaska and Hawaii.

Cheryl Lynn Yawman
Senior search consultant
Cochran Cochran & Yale LLC
Position then: When I was nominated I was recruiting manager at Robert Half International. At the time of the Forty Under 40 awards, I had left RHI and was sitting out my one-year non-compete contract and was anticipating joining Employee Relations Associates as an executive recruiter.
Current business role: As an executive recruiter, I partner with my clients to understand all aspects of their recruiting needs, including both technical requirements and personality/culture fit. I then leverage my 19 years of experience recruiting accounting and finance professionals to find the best possible talent for their team.
Age: 44
Education: B.S., St. John Fisher College
Family: Husband, Philip; two daughters, 13, 10
Residence: Fairport
Birthplace: Rochester
Most meaningful career-related accomplishment: Having played a significant role in securing career opportunities for approximately 750 accounting and finance individuals in the Rochester community, as well as partnering with the client companies to find them the best possible athletes for their teams.
Surprising fact: Because a member of my family is an internationally known musician, I have had the opportunity to do really neat things, like attend the Grammy Awards, meet many celebrities and go on tour with him around the country.